when i mess around with the buttons ( air conditioner, temp., headlights lights on/off, putting car in park etc.) the lights in the consul seem to get dimmer and lights that shouldn't be on like the turning lights glow and lights just flicker and go dim is this due to bad wiring or the fuses ? any ideas on how i can fix this problem ?

also it seems when i mess with the temperature and fan speed and stuff the engine cooling gauge raises up this is getting me VERY nervous i am not familiar with these cars what so ever. the car has never reached inside the red part (overheating) of the gauge but gets very close to it. soon after idk what i do the needle for the gauge goes down and back up sorta i am confused.